Eid in Morocco: Traditions and Travel Tips

Eid in Morocco means two public holidays a year: Eid al-Fitr, which ends Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, the feast of the sacrifice. This guide explains the expected 2027 dates, what families do on the day, what changed with the sheep sacrifice in 2025 and 2026, and how the holidays affect transport and plans for visitors. For the month before Eid al-Fitr, see Morocco in Ramadan.

Sources checked on 6 November 2026: Wego’s guide to Eid al-Adha in Morocco, Morocco World News and Yabiladi reports, the Hespress report on the 2025 suspension and listings of 2027 holidays. Dates depend on the moon sighting and the official announcement, so treat them as expected, not fixed.

Eid in Morocco: the two holidays and expected dates

Holiday	Marks	Expected 2027 date
Eid al-Fitr	The end of Ramadan	Around 9 or 10 March 2027 (provisional listings say 10 March)
Eid al-Adha (Eid Kbir)	The feast of the sacrifice	Around 16 May 2027, with 17 May as the likely alternate

Morocco sights the moon on its own, so its date can differ by a day from Saudi Arabia’s, according to Wego. The official announcement comes from the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs after the moon sighting. Listings such as Calendarific mark the 2027 dates as provisional.

The catch is that the exact day is announced late, so any booking around Eid should allow a one or two day margin.

Mosque courtyard with a tiled fountain and prayer mats at sunrise

What families do on Eid

Wego describes Eid al-Adha morning as beginning with the Takbir, a proclamation of God’s greatness. Families wear the jellaba, and the Eid prayer is held in mosques or open spaces, usually about 10 to 15 minutes after sunrise. People greet each other with Eid Mubarak and go home for a breakfast of pastries and mint tea. As a visitor, a simple Eid Mubarak is welcome.

Eid al-Fitr is a celebration after a month of fasting, with family visits and festive food. We found no detailed source for its customs, so we do not list them here.

Eid is a family occasion, so a visitor is more likely to be a respectful observer than a participant, unless invited. Accept an invitation if you receive one, and follow what the hosts do. Ask before taking photos of people.

Feast table with roast lamb shoulder, zaalouk, olives and bread

Eid al-Adha, the sacrifice and food

Traditionally, the meat is divided three ways: for the family, for friends and neighbours, and for people in need, and some families donate the whole animal. Feasts run across about three days and centre on the meat, with dishes such as mechoui (slow-roasted lamb or goat), mrouzia (a sweet and savoury lamb dish) and chermoula-marinated grilled shoulder, with sides such as zaalouk, salads and marinated olives, served with bread and tea.

In 2025 the king asked Moroccans to skip the sacrifice. Yabiladi and Morocco World News report that the message was read on 26 February 2025 and cited a six-year drought and pressure on livestock numbers. Morocco World News reports that the ritual sacrifice returned for households at Eid al-Adha on 27 May 2026, and that the king performed the sacrifice in Rabat. The same report says herds had fallen by 38 percent since 2016, citing Reuters. Check the latest news before you travel for a future Eid, because rules and prices can change.

How Eid affects travel

Wego says Eid al-Adha is typically a public holiday with most schools and businesses closed, and that travel demand tends to rise around the holiday, so it advises booking early. Our Ramadan guide notes that demand for public transport rises in the days before and after Eid al-Fitr as well.

Book trains, buses and flights for the days around Eid as early as you can. See how to book ONCF tickets online.
Expect many shops and local restaurants to be closed on the first day, though we found no official list. Tourist hotels and riads usually keep serving, so confirm with your host.
Plan the first morning without sightseeing, because streets are quiet during the prayer and family meals.
Taxis can be scarce and busy, see Getting around Marrakech for fares and tips.

The downside is price. Popular routes can sell out before Eid, so waiting until the last week may cost more.

Quiet Moroccan city square on a holiday morning with closed shutters and lanterns

Should you travel during Eid?

It depends on what you want. The days around Eid are a rare window to see how Moroccans celebrate, and tourist riads and hotels continue to operate. The trade-off is closed shops, full transport and quiet cities on the main day. If you prefer an easy trip, arrive a few days before or after the holiday.

If you arrive during Eid, ask your riad or hotel in advance about breakfast, dinner and airport pickup, because staff may be off for family celebrations.
Carry some cash and water, since small shops may be closed on the first day. This is general advice rather than a sourced rule.
Keep your plans flexible for the second and third days, when many families visit relatives and roads can be busy.

For other planning, see Morocco travel tips, Morocco weather for May and March, and Getting around Morocco for long routes.

Frequently asked questions

When is Eid al-Fitr 2027 in Morocco?

Sources expect it around 9 or 10 March 2027. Calendarific lists 10 March as provisional. The official date follows the moon sighting.

When is Eid al-Adha 2027 in Morocco?

Expected around 16 May 2027, with 17 May as the likely alternate, according to Wego and holiday listings.

What is Eid al-Adha in Morocco called locally?

Listings call it Eid Kbir, meaning the big Eid.

Are shops open during Eid in Morocco?

Wego says most schools and businesses are closed during Eid al-Adha. Many local shops and restaurants close on the first day, so confirm with your host.

Did Morocco cancel the Eid al-Adha sacrifice?

The king asked Moroccans to skip it in 2025 because of drought, and Morocco World News reports that the ritual returned for households on 27 May 2026.

What do people say on Eid?

Eid Mubarak, according to Wego.

Is transport busy around Eid?

Yes. Wego says demand rises and advises booking early.

Sources checked

Checked on 6 November 2026. Dates are expected, not official, and customs vary by family and region.

Prices and times can change without notice. Confirm them before you pay or travel.